The Resident - 21st October 2011

Page 1

Local Fireworks Guide Horsham & District | 01403 251000 | www.the-resident.co.uk

Pages 32-33

Friday 21st October 2011

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Carmageddon! Matthew James News Editor

matthew@the-resident.co.uk

Councillors have voted to increase car parking charges by an average of 20 per cent, despite fears that the changes will hit hard-pressed businesses. At a full council meeting on Wednesday evening, Horsham District Council supported fee rises designed to cut the council’s net budget while improving the quality of car parks in the town. But Liberal Democrat councillor Frances Haigh, who represents Horsham Park ward, told the meeting: “Our competition comes from the supermarkets where parking is free and from the internet which is available 24/7. “Residents have commented on Facebook that these increased prices mean they will shop at the supermarkets instead.

“Nationally we are in the midst of the worst recession for 30 years. Some of our town traders are hanging on by a thread. They need us to be providing policies that support them. “Arun District Council has introduced a one-year trial offering free parking for two hours in Bognor Regis. Why can we not do that here on one day midweek to encourage people into the town?

Some of our town traders are hanging on by a thread

“We have before us one of the worst documents I have seen in this council, rushed through, almost bypassing the committee and consultation stages. “If you took this plan to any business analyst, they would throw it out. Many of

us here have business backgrounds and we should be throwing it out.” Cllr Andrew Baldwin (Con, Holbrook East) expressed irritation with some of the arguments put forward by Lib Dem councillors. He told them: “I really don’t think it is half the problem you’re making it out to be. I don’t think putting up parking charges a little bit will make a blind bit of difference. “You can’t compare Bognor Regis to Horsham. It’s like comparing a clapped out old banger to a Rolls Royce. Bognor Regis is a dump. “What is proposed is perfectly reasonable and the majority of people will support it.” The council will allocate £130,000 of the expected extra income to fund new parking machines, car park cleaning, lighting improvements and a parking customer survey.

What’s Chris Evans doing at one of our schools?

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